Location
In which country did the Battle of Ypres take place?
Belgium
What was Germany’s main goal in launching the attack at Ypres?
To break through the Allied lines and capture Ypres.
Which side introduced poison gas at Ypres?
Who are the Germans?
Approximately how many soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing at Ypres?
Over 200,000 soldiers (combined from both sides).
What weapon was used for the first time at Ypres?
What is poison gas (chlorine gas)?
What region of this country was the battle fought in?
Where is Flanders
Why did the Allies want to hold Ypres?
To protect supply routes and prevent the Germans from reaching the Channel ports.
Did the Germans achieve a complete breakthrough?
No, they did not achieve a full breakthrough.
Which country suffered some of the heaviest losses?
The Canadians and French colonial troops? (both suffered heavily, but Canadians are remembered most for holding their ground).
Why is the Second Battle of Ypres especially important to Canadian history?
It was the first major battle for Canadian troops and marked their reputation for bravery.
What strategic city was at the center of the battle?
What is the city of Ypres?
Which new weapon did Germany want to test at Ypres?
What is chlorine gas?
What was the Allies’ main achievement in this battle?
They held Ypres and stopped a complete German advance
How were Canadian troops involved in Ypres?
They were among the first troops to face poison gas and held the line despite massive losses
How did the Battle of Ypres change the rules of warfare?
It led to international bans and outrage over chemical weapons (though they were still used).
Why was this location important to both the Allies and the Germans?
It was a gateway to the English Channel ports and key supply lines.
How did controlling Ypres benefit either side in terms of supply lines?
It secured access to supplies, reinforcements, and communication lines.
Which side claimed a “tactical” victory, and why?
The Germans, because they introduced poison gas and gained some ground.
What major difference between this battle and earlier ones shocked the world?
The first use of large-scale chemical warfare.
What did this battle show about the future of trench warfare?
That trench warfare created stalemates, with massive losses for little land gained.
What geographical feature made fighting in this location especially difficult?
What are flat, muddy fields that flooded easily, making trench fighting miserable
How did motives differ between the first, second, and third battles of Ypres?
The first battle was about stopping German advances, the second introduced poison gas, and the third (Passchendaele) was about breaking the stalemate.
How did this battle impact later strategies in WWI?
It showed the deadly effectiveness of poison gas and how trench warfare would dominate the war.
How did conditions in Ypres differ from other battles on the Western Front?
The scale of poison gas use, combined with waterlogged trenches, made it even worse than other Western Front battles
Why is Ypres remembered as one of the most symbolic battles of WWI?
Because it symbolized both the horror of chemical warfare and the sacrifice of Allied soldiers, especially Canadians.